While China fumes against President Marcos’ congratulatory message to Taiwan President-Elect Lai Ching-Te because of the One China Policy, Filipinos took to social media to stand with the Chief Executive.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
Even non-supporters backed the President, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Jan. 16, a congratulatory message to Lai “on behalf of the Filipino people.”
This has since angered China, with its Foreign Ministry summoning Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime Florcruz, saying that the message is a grave violation of the one-China principle.
The Foreign Ministry even asked Marcos to “read more” so he can “develop a proper understanding” of the current China-Taiwan relations and “come to a right conclusion.”
In answer to China’s advice for the President to “read more,” X user @redialmp3 wrote, “and we advise China to get the hell out of our EEZ!”
On Facebook, netizen Nishren Marangit said “Yes with President Marcos. Even if China doesn’t recognize the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas), the Philippines still recognizes your One-China policy. Maybe you can also recognize the UNCLOS and remove the artificial islands you made in the West Philippine Sea, in the independent-exclusive economic zone of the Philippines particularly in the WPS.”
Budget Babe (@znsuzara) posted: “What big bully China is to the PH. You don't have to be an avid supporter of PBBM to see that.”
They also called out China for acting as if it has a “control” over the Philippines.
“What an illusion China has. Is the Philippines a province of China? That its government has control over whom she will communicate?,” Facebook user Esoh Chalbiz said.
Filipinos are particularly miffed about China’s statement because of the current territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea, with X user @descartesrpm chiming in: “Ibalik niyo muna sa amin ‘yung mga isla namin (You should return first our islands) and follow the international law.”
This was seconded by Facebook user Fred Cee who said “Tuta ba nila ang Pilipinas na sila magdidikta kung ano ang dapat at hindi dapat gawin ng ating gobyerno (Is the Philippines their lackeys that they will dictate what our government should do or not)?”
Another X user @IamNinaGirl seems to goad China further by responding to China’s statement with, “Ah, okay. Congratulations, President-elect Lai Ching-Te!”
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) maintained the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy, stressing that the Philippines and Taiwan share mutual interests.
It said that Marcos’ message “was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and holding a successful democratic process.”
Taiwan is catering to nearly 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mostly working in factories.